The aims of joint protection are to reduce pain and inflammation, and to preserve integrity of diseased joints by teaching patients to avoid stressing their joints. There is a widespread belief that deformities in rheumatoid arthritis result from dynamic forces acting on joints made unstable by disease and that deformities are preventable by means of joint preservation techniques. A review is presented arguing the case for and against the use of joint protection in three areas: Pain, inflammation and joint integrity. Patient compliance with education in joint protection is also discussed. An electromyographic pilot study records activity of extensor carpi ulnaris in five normal subjects performing tasks by a conventional method and using a joint protection method or an aid. It is proposed that the method be adopted for clinical and research studies to validate the usefulness of joint protection in rheumatoid arthritis.
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